Saif Ali Khan Acquires Film Rights to Nilanjana Roy’s Black River, Calls It an “Emotional Piece”
Saif Ali Khan, known for his passion for literature, recently shared insights into some of the books that have profoundly influenced him during a conversation with Esquire India. Among these, Nilanjana Roy’s Black River holds a special place in his heart.
Describing Black River as much more than a typical crime novel, Saif explained, “It’s kind of a police procedural murder mystery, but it’s also really emotional and kind of moving about the murder of a very young little girl.” The story resonated with him so deeply that he decided to acquire the rights to adapt it into a film. “I love the story so much that I bought the rights to the book and we’re trying to make a movie out of it,” he revealed, while noting that the adaptation is still in progress.
Saif described the novel as “lyrical,” “dramatic,” and “really poetic, beautiful,” emphasizing the emotional depth that lies beyond its mystery. Quoting the book’s description, he called it “an ode to an India that might not exist anymore… quite an emotional piece as well.”The actor also expressed his fondness for ghost stories rooted in literary tradition, highlighting Japanese Ghost Stories by Lafcadio Hearn as one of his favorites.
Reflecting on Hearn’s journey from Ireland to Japan, Saif admired how the author retold famous Japanese ghost tales “in this amazing, amazing poetic prose,” appreciating the blend of supernatural elements with emotional and literary richness.
Another impactful read for Saif is Pandora’s Jar by Natalie Haynes, which offers a feminist reinterpretation of women in Greek mythology. Saif highlighted the story of Medusa, pointing out, “She was a beautiful girl, and she was raped in this temple. And then she was punished for being raped in the temple… And she’s viewed as a monster.”
This reframing of mythological narratives left a lasting impression on him, concluding, “I’ve always felt something for her.”Through these literary choices, Saif Ali Khan reveals a clear affinity for stories that challenge conventional narratives, explore emotional depths, and provide nuanced perspectives on culture, history, and humanity.
